AMA welcomes ‘scrapping the cap’ – next the Medicare Locals?

As 2013 drew to a close the AMA welcomed the Coalition Government’s decision to scrap the former Government’s proposed $2000 cap on tax deductions for work-related self-education expenses as a victory for common sense.

Like the Northern Rivers General Practice Network, the AMA and other groups had been lobbying hard to get the proposed cap abolished since the former government announced it in April.

Then, a few days before Christmas, the peak body issued a call for the Government to comprehensively overhaul the Medicare Locals model introduced by Labor, including ditching the name, ‘Medicare Locals’.

“While the AMA recognises the need for a network of primary health care organisations (PHCOs) to improve the integration of health services within primary health care and improve the interface between primary care and hospitals, the current Medicare Locals model has not delivered,” AMA President Dr Steve Hambleton said.

Results from the recent AMA survey of 1212 GPs from around Australia indicate that Medicare Locals have:

failed to improve the coordination and delivery of primary health care services;

increased red tape and compliance costs;

failed to communicate effectively with GPs;

not engaged meaningfully with general practice;

duplicated existing services; and

been unable to demonstrate any improvement in access to after-hours GP services, despite significant extra funding.

In its submission, the AMA recommends reforms that focus on moving to a network of PHCOs that are:

GP-led and locally responsive;

focused on supporting GPs in caring for patients, working collaboratively with other health care professionals;

not overburdened by excessive paperwork and policy prescription;

focused on addressing service gaps, not replicating existing services; and

better aligned with Local Hospital Networks, with a strong emphasis on improving the primary care/hospital interface.

The AMA will work with the new Government to implement sensible reforms that support improved access to care for patients.